The Kwara State Government has warned that it will no longer tolerate any act of civil unrest between Share and Tsaragi communities known for bloody age-long land dispute in the state.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq issued the warning at an emergency meeting of traditional rulers and stakeholders of the two communities.
He sued for peace among the people of Share and Tsaragi communities in Ifelodun and Edu local government council areas, over the recent clash on land dispute around Kange community bordering the two ancient communities.
At the meeting were the concerned paramount rulers, the Etsu Tsaragi, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Kpotwo and the Olupako of Share, Oba Haruna Olawale Suleiman, high chiefs and prominent personalities from the two communities.
Governor Abdulrazaq was represented at the meeting by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Abubakar Abdullahi Bata.
He disclosed that “the present administration would no longer tolerate any act of civil unrest in the affected communities and the state at large.”
Governor AbdulRazaq implored the royal fathers to take cognizance of their peoples’ welfare and build on the strength of their diversities through the spirit of peaceful co-existence.
According to him: “Traditional rulers have been a strong pillar of support for the present administration in terms of advice and suggestions, and the government has such trust in them, especially as it concerns dispute resolutions.
“I want to implore you royal fathers, the high chiefs and stakeholders from the two communities to ensure that you maintain peace because an enabling environment for economic and socio-cultural advancement can only be achieved by calling your subjects to embrace peaceful dialogue and tolerate each other. ”
In their separate responses, the two monarchs thanked the governor for facilitating the peace meeting and for making known their grey areas on the disputed land.
The monarchs also promised to ensure that such an ugly incident will never rear its ugly head in the two communities again.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Iyabo Modupe Adekeye, expressed appreciation to the state governor for providing an opportunity for the monarchs to express their minds over the land dispute, and thanked them for their submissions which symbolises their willingness and readiness to ensure that peace returns to their communities.